The playoffs will come knocking soon with the NBA regular season about to end. In less than a month, the NBA’s top teams will run on a higher gear as they outlast and outduel their opponents to win the title this year. Likewise, NBA card fans are also on the edge of their seats trying to anticipate and speculate what’s going to happen with the card market.
We take a look below at five guys who have a big chance to make the playoffs with their respective teams and the huge impact this could have on their NBA rookie cards.
Donovan Mitchell
The Utah Jazz are on a mission this year after being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in Orlando last season. Leading them to the top of the Western Conference standings and perhaps a deep playoff run is none other than Donovan Mitchell.
The Jazz boast a 44-17 record built on a fourth-best 117.2 offensive rating and 108.1 defensive rating, which places them third out of 30 teams. Utah’s balanced performance on both ends of the court, paired with a second unit that elevates their ceiling, has given them a 38% chance to win the title this year.
When it comes to NBA cards, the best prospect Utah has to offer is still Mitchell. As of now, his PSA 10 base Prizm rookie card is valued at $407 on eBay and can potentially go up if he performs well in the postseason.
Devin Booker
After six years in the league, Devin Booker is finally on his way to the postseason. Sure, the arrival of Chris Paul unlocked the Phoenix Suns’ true potential and unleashed it on the NBA. What cannot be discounted, though, is Booker’s incredible talent as an offensive player.
This season alone, Booker is averaging 25.5 points on 48.4% shooting from the field, 34.8% from 3, and 85.8% from the free-throw line. If his stint in Orlando is also an indication, the shooting guard will expectedly put up insane offensive numbers once the playoffs start. This will be a good catalyst for Booker’s NBA card market value.
As of now, PSA 10 base Prizm Devin Booker rookie cards are fetching $800. This can potentially go up after a monster game from Booker himself.
Trae Young
Like Booker before him, Trae Young is expected to make his playoff debut soon. The Atlanta Hawks are currently in fifth place with a 34-28 record, giving them enough breathing room before the regular season ends.
For his part, Young is the best card prospect from his squad. Rightfully so, because the third-year point guard is leading his team in points per game and minutes. He’s also the Hawks' focal point on offense, which ensures Young stands out in every game Atlanta plays.
Young’s first foray into the postseason will prime his NBA cards for a boost. As of now, PSA 10 base Prizm rookie cards of Ice Trae are priced at $320. An impressive postseason game or two will potentially increase his stock up next month, resulting in a surge in Young’s card demand.
Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr.’s inclusion to this list wouldn’t be possible if Jamal Murray didn’t sustain an ACL injury this month. While nobody wanted that to happen, it can’t be denied that the biggest beneficiary in all of this is Porter himself.
Last season, the 6-foot-10 forward notched 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game. This year, though, Porter has improved his game by averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and an assist in 31.2 minutes per contest. He’s also hitting 44.4% from downtown and an astonishing 62.7% of his 7.0 attempts per game from 2, making him an efficient option on the offensive end of the court.
With Murray out for the rest of the season, Porter is the No. 2 option behind Nikola Jokic. This will raise his profile in the league and the value of his NBA cards. Porter’s PSA 10 base Prizm rookie card is currently at $237.5, giving him a lot of room to increase price-wise.
Luka Doncic
In the three years he has played in the NBA, it’s a given Luka Doncic will have a game or two in the postseason that will drop everyone’s jaws. Just last year, Doncic’s clutch shot against the Los Angeles Clippers didn’t just seal the victory, but also made him became the youngest player to notch a triple-double in the playoffs.
This season, Doncic is posting MVP-like numbers once again with averages of 28.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. He’s also leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 34-27 record, placing them sixth in the Western Conference. If the Mavs retain their standing, they will be safe from the play-in tournament.
Doncic’s PSA 10 base Prizm rookie card is currently valued at $1,100. NBA card enthusiasts can expect his stock to rise once the playoffs start and the All-Star notches a good game next month.
While there are other players who can potentially enjoy a price boost soon, the names mentioned above are pretty safe bets to hedge on. As always, the NBA card market is continually shifting and adapting to how these players perform on the court. Keeping a close eye on how these guys play will ultimately help you make the right investment decisions.
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